Kerri Weems - The Sisterhood Effect

2018 Copyright Kerri Weems

Translations used:

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NIVUK are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicized, NIV Copyright 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked as NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked as AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible (AMP), Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture marked as NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked VOICE are taken from The Voice. Copyright 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5439517-2-1

A simple but compelling video exists that proposes a solution to many of the problems in the world: poverty, hunger, illiteracy, AIDS. The solution to those problems is abundantly available in raw form, but tragically overlooked and under developed. The answer, the video proposes, just might be something as obvious and ubiquitous as a girl. The video is called The Girl Effect (girleffect). It is the inspiration for the title of this book, and it asks us to imagine a future in which girls in rural areas are given just a little more opportunity to succeed. What if, it asks, 600 million more people on the planet were educated? Fed? Economically secure? How would that impact the landscape of humanity? What if, instead of being considered an economic liability to her family, a girl could be considered an economic possibility? How might that change the way girls are treated and cared for in developing countries? What would happen to the world if the potential and capacity of each of these 600 million girls was released for the purpose of good works? The potential impact is hard to imagine, but even harder to deny.

The truth is that girls make up 51% of the worlds population. Thats slightly over one-half. Of that 51%, 600 million live in poverty-stricken conditions in developing countries where access to things we take for grantedsuch as food, drinking water, and educationis highly restricted. These 600 million girls spend all day, every day simply trying to survive. What if the energy spent obtaining clean waterhiking for miles both ways on a daily basiscould be put instead toward educating children? What impact would that have on the future of humanity and the future of the planet? What impact would it have on the lives of children born into poverty every single day? How could the release of the potential in 600 million girls change the world?

Recently Pew Research released a study indicating that the state of religion in America is in decline (Americas Changing Religious Landscape). It was a disappointing but not entirely surprising finding. It has church leaders from all over the nation talking about how to reach the next generation and wondering whether or not we will be able to pull the church back from the brink of extinction in the twenty-first century. I wonder if we have ever considered that the answer might be right in front of us, sitting in our pews, working in our nurseries, and then returning home each Sunday wondering if they are really making a difference in the world. I wonder if we have ever really considered what might happen if each church in America felt the impact of the Sisterhood Effect. What is the Sisterhood Effect? you may be asking yourself. As you lean in to this book, youll begin to see exactly what I mean by that term, and what it could look like in your world.

Im writing this book for three reasons. First, I want to celebrate what God has done in the last ten years through the women in Celebration Church. It has been an incredible journey so far seeing many women step up and find their voice, discover gifts they didnt realize they had, and reignite passions that have laid dormant for years. To the first generation of women who caught the vision, walked alongside me while I learned to lead, and cheered me on when I wanted to quitthank you. I honor you today and I always will. You have a special place in my heart.

Second, I want to capture the legacy that has been built so far. I want to capture it not to enshrine it in an everlasting memorial that shall not be moved, but to pass it safely into new hands. My deepest hope is that the groundwork that has been laid over the past ten years will not be forgotten or neglected, but that the women who will come after me will build upon it. Of course methods and formats will change. I expect that and earnestly desire it. But I do pray that the essential values will remain, and the story will continue to be written in a way that flows smoothly and fits well with what has come before.

Third, I hope to inspire and encourage other churches to take a second look at the women who come through their doors week in and week out and consider the untapped potential that might be waiting to be released. That doesnt have to mean that a new womens program has to be started or that we should suddenly start challenging long and sincerely held traditions and doctrinal positions. It simply means, Pastor, would you please take another look? Looking for your next leader? Looking for the best committee chair? Looking for the next best Bible teacher in your congregation? Looking for someone who knows how to build teams? Why not take another look at the potential in the women in your church? You never know the impact the Sisterhood Effect could have until you give it a chance.

Finally, I am writing this book as a legacy to pass on what we have built to the next generation of women rising to take their place in the world and in the church. My husband, Stovall, once wisely stated, Ministry forms that are relevant to one generation will become religious to the next generation if we dont continually ask the Holy Spirit to breathe life into them and keep them revived. I am aware that in order to keep the heart and soul of Sisterhood alive, I must pass it on to the young women who are coming up behind me. I am fully convinced that the time to begin the hand-off process is right now. So to those who will come after me, who are perhaps reading this book and wondering how they fit in to the Sisterhood story, I, together with the women who have labored with me thus far, want to say: